The rise to prominence

From the beginning, Ann Baker's media hype and fanciful claims had attracted attention. From controversy to conflict, she eventually got herself noticed and aroused the media's interest. The Los Angeles Times published a short article about a new breed of cats called "Ragdolls," and the Daytons happened to read it. What was bound to happen happened: they fell into the pot and caught the Ragdoll bug. Yet, by his own admission, Denny hated cats. But when they met their first Ragdoll, they were immediately won over and understood that their destiny had just changed: they knew they were meant to buy a pair and breed this race. Ann Baker managed to convince them that these were the cats of the /future. Laura and Denny Dayton were the first to buy a pair from her, Rosie and Buddy, in 1969. They chose the prefix "Blossom Time" for their cattery and registered it with all the feline associations. They also applied for a business license so that they would be allowed to carry on their activity in a residential district under American law, and it was fortunate that they did. They quickly learned that keeping a detailed daily record of the cattery was essential. They began learning from their cats and never stopped. The 18 cats in their cattery occupied both of them full time, especially at mealtimes. The birth of the first kittens rewarded all their efforts. They spent enormous sums on advertising, shows, neutering and veterinary expenses.

Other breeders had embarked on the adventure. Bob Minter had Pancho Villa and Melonie, but he soon found working with Ann Baker too complicated and quickly gave up, selling his cats to the Daytons. The same happened with Phil and Nancy Delano, with Pecos Bill and Orphan Annie, followed later by a breeder named Opel Jensen, who owned five female Ragdolls from Ann Baker: Terri Lee (70), Miss Chef (70), Lolita (70), Miss Cat (70) and Opal (71).

Denny also acquired Lovable 71, whom he kept as a neutered male and used as the cattery's sales representative. After a few minutes with Lovable, the prospective buyer had completely fallen for him and was ready to sign the check... for a first Ragdoll. At that time Denny and Laura's stock amounted to twelve of Ann Baker's Raggedy Ann Ragdolls.

In 1972, a woman from Indiana named Blanche Herman began to take an interest in Ragdolls and contacted Ann Baker to buy a breeding pair. In 1973 she flew to California to see Ann's Ragdolls. She agreed to purchase a franchise and a pair for a total of $2,500: $1,000 for the pair and $1,500 for the franchise. Her first cats were Bam Bam, a blue mitted male, and Pebbles, a seal mitted female. Soon afterward she bought four more cats from Ann, including Susie, and the founder of the Ragtime cattery cast off on a voyage that would last... 33 years.

These two breeders were the first to hold on, and it can be said that without them the Ragdoll would certainly not have become as popular as it is today. You owe them the friendly ball of fur curled beneath your hand; may they be thanked for it.